The Lamplighter Legacy Downtown Apartments, 900 SE Third Ave., are now available for leasing.
Bryce Peek, a Realtor and one of the four development owner partners, provided a tour of the property recently.
“There’s been so much downtown development lately, but downtown housing was lacking,” Peek said.
The roughly $18 million, two-year project consists of 102 apartments in two four-story buildings with brick accent. The complex sits on about four acres with many outdoor amenities. Units range from studio to three-bedroom units, and the complex includes a clubhouse and pool.
Literature for the complex indicates a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment is 794 square feet and a two-bedroom, two-bath unit is 1,124 square feet.
A host of amenities include in-room washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, granite top kitchen islands and more. Available features include balconies and walk-in showers.
Peek pointed out that the apartment complex is not only unique in location and attention to detail but also offers elevators and enclosed, air conditioned corridors. The complex is smoke-free and pet friendly.
The minimum lease time is nine months and prices are estimated to range from around $1,600 to $2,550 monthly.
When conditions are right you can see the World Equestrian Center, Advent Health, Marion County Judicial Center and more from the top floor of the apartment buildings. Some available balconies overlook the vintage houses of the historic district , Peek noted.
The locations seen from the building are the very commercial and public entities which may employ residents of the complex, such as medical and other professionals, Peek explained.
Kyle Potter is one of seven residents who have leased during a soft opening, which began in January. A grand opening is expected soon.
Potter learned about the apartments through word of mouth and leased a two-bedroom unit.
“Love it,” he said.
The complex is named after a popular steak restaurant that was formerly located in the property adjacent to and south of the complex. The former restaurant building at 1016 SE Third Ave. now houses Geo-Technologies.
Peek said the city of Ocala provided an underground piping system in place of a retention pond onsite as a construction incentive.
Linda Daly, business manager for the complex, provided a tour of the 3,415-square-foot clubhouse, which includes a 24-hour fitness center and a 25,000-gallon salt water pool with sun deck.
The complex also offers “community” features like grilling stations , picnic area and a pet walk area.
Project Superintendent James Lancaster with development contractor Cullison-Wright Construction of Ocala said the owners were “hands on” with weekly meetings. He said details include touches like key fob entry.
Ocala City Council member Jim Hilty said multi-family type housing is what many people are now looking for.
“The apartment complex will definitely extend and enhance the downtown area,” Hilty said in a phone interview.
Hilty said although traffic engineers have approved the plan, the long-term effect of increased traffic, especially on nearby Eighth Street Elementary School, remains to be seen.
Rodney and Carol Rogers are one of four local families who make up Lamplighter Legacy, LLC, the corporation that owns the development.
Rodney Rogers said his wife’s father, John Christoff, along with wife, Judy, built the original Lamplighter Steak Pit &Tavern in 1976 at 1116 SE Third St.
State corporate records indicate the restaurant operated under that name until 1985.
Rodney Rogers said years ago, the Lamplighter Steak Pit &Tavern, Foxfire in the Cascades and Coach and Paddock were three privately owned Ocala restaurants where you could get prime rib before the proliferation of chain restaurants on State Road 200.
Rodney Rogers said he took Carol to the Lamplighter Steak Pit &Tavern for perhaps their first date and he described the eatery as also a meeting place where many local politicians hashed out issues.
Fiddlestix Edibles & Libations replaced the Lamplighter Steak Pit &Tavern and operated from 1985 until 1998, according to state corporation records.
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Brian Stoothoff, board member of HOPS (Historic Ocala Preservation Society,) recalls the latter restaurant as “casual dining but elegant enough for special occasions.”
“That also happens to be where (my wife) Alina and l got engaged,” he wrote in a text.
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